In a turn of events that no one saw coming, Netflix is bringing live TV to its platform. Starting summer 2025, Netflix subscribers in France will have access to five linear broadcast channels owned by the country’s largest commercial broadcaster, TF1 Group.

Netflix and TF1: A Budding Alliance

According to Financial Times, Netflix and TF1 will allow users in France to experience television in a familiar way — but within a platform designed for streaming. That means not only live access to channels, but more than 30,000 hours of on-demand content from TF1 by summer 2026, which will include popular reality shows, scripted series, and live sports. The combination gives subscribers more content options and expands Netflix’s entertainment offerings in France.

TF1 and Netflix have already worked together on a French historical drama called Les Combattantes (which is also known as Women at War internationally). However, the alliance between the two companies is much more than just co-production. It marks the first time live TV is integrated into the interface of a streaming service, and it’s not a model many have attempted to emulate.

The deal was not reported to be financial, but the magnitude of the agreement is likely to indicate a long-term relationship between the two.

“It’s an opportunity to drive even more daily engagement, which is a core metric for us now that we no longer share subscriber numbers,” said Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters. “By teaming up with France’s leading broadcaster, we will give French consumers even more reasons to come to Netflix every day and stay with us for all their entertainment.”

For TF1, the partnership is not only good for exposure, but the broadcaster’s channels will remain ad-supported. As a result, TF1 can target even more potential eyeballs and better connect with potential advertisers.

“With the secular decline of linear TV, this partnership is an unprecedented alliance that will allow us to reach unparalleled audiences by benefiting from the great growth potential of Netflix,” said TF1 CEO Rodolphe Belmer.

He also added that the agreement “will allow us to meet our objective to bring together our offer and content in an ecosystem that is undergoing profound transformation. We are responding to the new habits of our viewers and preparing for the future.”

Reaching Millions and Meeting Regulations

Netflix benefits from the partnership, too, in terms of meeting regulations. Under French law, streaming services must invest 20 to 25 percent of their revenue from France into content there. Working with TF1 allows Netflix to fulfill its quota while also bolstering its library with shows that speak to its audience.

There’s also the prospect of gaining millions of new viewers. As it stands, TF1’s linear channels receive 58 million monthly viewers, while its streaming platform, TF1+, has 35 million users. Meanwhile, Netflix has just 10 million subscribers in France, according to co-CEO Ted Sarandos in 2022.

The integration could bring the traditional TF1 audience to Netflix, and vice versa, creating a mutually beneficial feedback loop.

And this may not be the only deal of its kind. Peters said the company will observe the performance of the TF1 deal before it looks at replicating the model elsewhere. If it’s successful, the deal could spread to other countries in Europe and potentially the U.S.

According to Nielsen, streaming content represented 44.8% of all TV viewership in May. That marked the first time streaming exceeded both cable (24.1%) and broadcast (20.1%) since Nielsen began tracking the data in 2021.

What Netflix’s integration of linear broadcast channels indicates is that streaming services are no longer replacing television — they’re adopting it.

With the TF1 deal, Netflix could become the ultimate one-stop shop for entertainment, from binge-worthy shows to live sports and the real-time channels.

For many French viewers, Netflix already feels like television. Now, it’s becoming it.